How to Make a Hackintosh in a Virtualbox

byLebron Whong ✔️ •
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What is a Hackintosh

How to Make a Hackintosh in VirtualBox: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a Hackintosh, or running macOS on non-Apple hardware, is a fascinating project for tech enthusiasts. With the rise of virtual machines, particularly VirtualBox, users can now explore the world of macOS without the need for dedicated Apple hardware. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up a Hackintosh in VirtualBox, ensuring that you have all the necessary tools and steps to make it work smoothly.

What is a Hackintosh?


How to Make a Hackintosh in VirtualBox 

A Hackintosh is a non-Apple computer that runs macOS. By using specific software and tweaks, users can bypass Apple's restrictions and get macOS running on custom-built PCs. Typically, the process is complex and requires technical knowledge, but using VirtualBox simplifies many challenges, allowing you to run macOS on your existing system.

Why Use VirtualBox for a Hackintosh?

VirtualBox is an open-source virtualization tool that enables you to run different operating systems within your primary OS. Setting up a Hackintosh in VirtualBox offers several benefits:

  1. No Need for Additional Hardware: You can run macOS on your Windows or Linux machine without needing a Mac.
  2. Safety and Simplicity: Virtual machines are isolated from your main system, so potential issues won’t affect your primary OS.
  3. Cost-Effective: Since VirtualBox is free, you can try out macOS without investing in Apple hardware.

Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating a Hackintosh in VirtualBox.

What You Need to Get Started

What You Need to Get Started virtualbox

Before you can set up a Hackintosh in VirtualBox, there are a few prerequisites to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Essential Requirements:

  • VirtualBox Installed: Download and install Oracle VirtualBox from its official website.
  • macOS Image (ISO or DMG): You’ll need a bootable macOS image. This can be a legally acquired macOS installation file.
  • A 64-bit PC: Ensure your PC has a 64-bit processor that supports virtualization.
  • Minimum 4GB RAM: macOS requires at least 4GB of RAM, but more is recommended for better performance.
  • A VirtualBox Extension Pack: This is essential for enabling USB support and better performance within the virtual machine.

Step 1: Install VirtualBox

Install VirtualBox

If you haven’t already, download VirtualBox from Oracle's official website and install it on your PC. This step is straightforward, so simply follow the installation prompts for your operating system (Windows, Linux, or macOS).

Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine

Create a New Virtual Machine virtualbox

Once VirtualBox is installed:

  1. Open VirtualBox.
  2. Click on the New button to create a new virtual machine.
  3. Name your machine (e.g., “Hackintosh macOS”) and choose macOS as the type and the version that matches the macOS version you want to install (for example, macOS 10.15 for Catalina).
  4. Set the memory (RAM) to at least 4GB (or more if your system allows).
  5. Create a virtual hard disk with at least 40GB of storage.

Step 3: Configure the Virtual Machine for macOS

Configure the Virtual Machine for macOS

Configuring the virtual machine is crucial to ensuring macOS runs smoothly. Here are the key settings:

  1. System Settings:

    • Disable Floppy under the "Motherboard" tab.
    • In the Processor tab, allocate 2 or more CPUs for better performance.

  2. Display Settings:

    • Under Display, set the Video Memory to at least 128MB.

  3. Storage Settings:

    • In the Storage section, click the empty disk under "Controller: IDE."
    • Add your macOS image (ISO or DMG) as the bootable disk.

  4. USB Support:

    • Go to USB settings and enable USB 3.0 support (for macOS compatibility).
    • Don’t forget to install the VirtualBox Extension Pack to enable USB support.

Step 4: Modify VirtualBox Configuration for macOS

Modify VirtualBox Configuration for macOS

To ensure macOS installs correctly, some tweaks to the VirtualBox configuration file are needed. Here’s how you can modify it:

  1. Shut down the virtual machine if it’s running.

  2. Open Command Prompt or Terminal and enter the following commands (replace “Hackintosh” with the name of your virtual machine):

    bash
    VBoxManage modifyvm "Hackintosh" --cpus 2 --memory 4096 --vram 128
    VBoxManage modifyvm "Hackintosh" --firmware efi
VBoxManage modifyvm "Hackintosh" --cpu-profile "Intel Core i7-6700K"
VBoxManage modifyvm "Hackintosh" --cpuexecutioncap 100

These commands set up the virtual machine to act more like a Mac, optimizing the performance and compatibility for macOS.

Step 5: Install macOS on the Virtual Machine

Install macOS on the Virtual Machine

Now, it’s time to install macOS.

  1. Start the virtual machine, and it should boot from the macOS installation image.
  2. Once macOS boots up, follow the installation process:
    • Select Disk Utility from the macOS recovery menu.
    • Format the virtual hard drive (the one you created earlier) as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
    • Close Disk Utility and proceed with the macOS installation.

This process might take some time, so be patient.

Step 6: Post-Installation Configuration

Post-Installation Configuration virtualbox

After macOS is installed, there are a few post-installation tasks to make sure everything runs smoothly:

  1. Install VirtualBox Guest Additions: Although macOS does not officially support Guest Additions, you can install open-source alternatives for better integration.
  2. Sound & Network Configuration: Sometimes, network and sound drivers may not work perfectly. You can resolve this by using specific kext files (macOS drivers) or configuring network settings manually.
  3. Set Up macOS Updates: Be cautious with macOS updates as they may break compatibility with VirtualBox. Always back up your Hackintosh before updating.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While setting up a Hackintosh in VirtualBox is a fun project, there are a few issues that users commonly face:

  1. macOS Not Booting: If macOS does not boot, double-check your VirtualBox configuration, especially the EFI settings.
  2. Slow Performance: Increase the allocated RAM and CPU cores in VirtualBox settings for improved performance.
  3. Network and Sound Issues: Install the correct kexts or use third-party solutions for better driver support.

Conclusion

Setting up a Hackintosh in VirtualBox is an exciting project for tech enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience macOS without owning a Mac. While the process involves several steps and configurations, following this guide ensures that you can create a virtual macOS environment on your non-Apple hardware. With patience and the right tweaks, you’ll have a fully functional macOS setup running on your Windows or Linux system.

By completing these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of macOS applications and tools without needing to invest in expensive Apple hardware. Whether you're learning macOS or simply testing software, a Hackintosh in VirtualBox is an excellent solution.

If you enjoyed this guide, feel free to share it and let us know about your experience with setting up your Hackintosh in VirtualBox!

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